Worried that it's been failing to maximize sales of its all-new Monster, Ducati has added the 804cc engine to the range. The thinking goes that the Monster 1100 is too big, the Monster 696 is too small, but, hopefully, the Ducati Monster 796 will be, like a bowl of warm porridge, just right. That engine gets pulled out of the Ducati Hypermotard 796 and shares that bike's 87bhp, 58lb/ft and wet slipper clutch. Combined with a low dry weight of 167kg (369lbs) and the bike's friendly, flat-barred riding position, those new figures could make the Monster 796 the perfect first big bike for newish riders. Update: It's $9,995 here in the US.>

The new engine is only 7bhp a little less than 8lb/ft stronger than the696, but reports indicate it fills the rev range with stronger low-downtorque and power curves, making the 804cc engine easier to ride. TheMonster 1100 makes 95 HP and 75.9lb/ft.

Other than the differences in power, the three monsters are virtuallyidentical. The 796 adopts the higher specification 5-spoke wheels andPirelli Diablo Rosso tires of the 1100 and its 31.5" seat height is alittle taller than the 696 and a little shorter than the 1100. Pricetoo, will sit between daddy bear and baby bear, stickering at €8990 inItaly.